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Report: Minnesota falling behind in science, technology

A new report from Minnesota's medical technology industry says the state is losing its competitive edge in scientific research and technology.

The report, by the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota, found that even in areas where the state was once a leader, like medical device research, Minnesota is falling behind.

The report also criticized the University of Minnesota for backsliding in the area of medical device research.

Dale Wahlstrom, CEO of the BioBusiness Alliance, is calling for collaboration among the government, the university and the private sector to expand science and technology employment.

Wahlstrom says investing in new technologies is critical to the state's economic future.

"If we can figure out how to get those three working together and forming an environment here like we used to have years ago, that is very conducive to the startup of new companies and the support of existing companies to help grow jobs, that is how we got good and that is how we are going to get good again," said Wahlstrom.

University of Minnesota officials say they are investing in scientific research, but the school needs more funding to maintain its competitive position in the field of medical device research.